A Night Walk Upon A Frozen Canal

 One last look back at the Flora Bridge, now well behind me.

And then forward.

This building was already glimpsed in photos yesterday. This is Immaculata, a Catholic high school near the north end of Old Ottawa East.

Up ahead, two bridges- the 417 freeway bridge higher up and behind the Pretoria Bridge.

The Pretoria Bridge is named for the avenue that crosses over it, which is named in honour of Canadian veterans of the South African War.

Its central section can be raised to allow taller watercraft through, as the arch is relatively lower to the water. I took some shots, and departed from the Canal here. We'll return to the Canal skateway when this series comes to an end.

A Link Between Neighbourhoods

 I continued on, with the graceful Flora Bridge behind me.

The path ahead called me. 

Easier to photograph skaters coming or going- to turn and photograph them as they pass by gives them a ghostly effect, without additional settings.

I was coming around a bend in the Canal. My destination for this trip was in sight.

The Flora Bridge In The Night

 The Flora Footbridge is a modern, elegant design, the newest bridge over the Rideau Canal in the city. It is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge only, and is named for Flora MacDonald, a well liked and respected politician and cabinet minister who lived in the area for many years.

I looked back the way I came.

The bridge is at its most photogenic at night, with skaters passing beneath it.

Its design on both sides includes staircases and switchback ramps for ease of access, and while it contrasts with the Canal, it does so in a way that is well suited to the setting. This is modern architecture done right.

Back Upon The Skateway

I took another tour of a section of the Rideau Canal skateway, this time during the evening. I approached the Canal near Lansdowne Park, looking to walk towards the Pretoria Bridge. 

I descended down onto the ice surface.

This skate changing hut is in the foreground in this rest area, with a Beavertails cabin beyond it.

Such rest areas tend to have fireplaces for a break- with the fireplace elevated off the ice level, of course, otherwise you'd soon have problems.

I headed off, taking photos back and forth as I went.

The Flora Bridge looms before us. It links the Glebe on the west side with Old Ottawa East on the east side.